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MURDER OF INDIAN STUDENT IN
FOOTSCRAY
AUSTRALIA SHOULD WORK AGAINST RACISM, NOT DENY THAT
IT EXISTS
MEDIA RELEASE
HERE |
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AFRICANS UNITE TO
RAISE AID FOR REFUGEES
The African Humanitarian Aid
Festival held in Sunshine on the evening of 27th
December 2009 was an outstanding success. Over
500 people attended, almost double the number
expected. The audience, performers and
representatives came from a wide range of
Australian-African communities, including the
Eritrean, Ethiopian, Sudanese, Somali, Rwandan and
Congolese communities. Substantial funds were
raised to benefit refugees in Africa.
Dr Berhan Ahmed,
Chairperson of the African Think tank, pointed out
that it was not possible to solve the problems of
Africa and in particular the Horn of Africa region
on a country-by-country basis. For example,
assistance could not be given to Eritrean refugees
without the active support and assistance of the
Ethiopian and Sudanese communities. Also, when
assistance was given, it was given to everyone in a
particular camp or area who needed it, no matter
what their background. In addition, although
this festival was the first really large event to
help raise aid in Australia, it was part of an
emerging pattern of co-coordinated aid and
consultation that was being rapidly developed
internationally to try to find assistance and
solutions for the economies in Africa that had been
devastated by famine and war. The success of
this festival would lead to many more such events in
the future.
One of a number of
musicians who came from overseas especially to
support the festival was the famed singer and poet
Hussain Mohammed Ali , who has been singing for peace
since 1975 and is now resident in London. He
said that peace comes from words and actions, never
from bullets. Artists and musicians had to
lead the way in uniting peoples and turning their
hearts towards peace.
The festival was sponsored
by the Eritrean Community in Australia and organised
by Pen & Paper, a charity established to give
educational materials to children in refugee camps,
and Eritrean Australian Humanitarian Aid (EAHA).
More story and pictures
HERE |
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3-12-09 New
Media Release: ATT welcomes findings of
ACMA on inaccurate and biased reporting. |
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The
African Think Tank congratulated President Barack
Obama on winning the Nobel Peace Prize.
In
a letter to the President, Dr. Ahmed said in part:
"
Seldom if ever, has the prize been better bestowed....(Your
career and election as president) gives hope to
people from all over the world and is the
greatest and most undeniable proof to the whole
world that everyone can aspire to greatness, no
matter how humble their origins."
The Media Release is
here on the media page.
There is also another
new media release on the media page about the
need for a Human Rights bill, and another recent
media release which gives the ATT's response to
the about the disasters in Indonesia and Samoa.
The letter congratulating President Obama is
here and on the articles
page.
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AFRICAN
THINK TANK ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
held 23rd September 2009
Dr. Berhan Ahmed returned
unopposed as Chairperson.
Churchill Fellow Mr. Haileleul Gebre-Selaisse
stepped down as deputy chairperson after a period of
distinguished service. the new deputy
chairperson is Mrs. Faten Mohammed. Check the Board
page for changes.
The ATT annual report may
be read HERE
(pdf format).
The
Media Release has
been added to
Media Releases |
23
September 2008: New article added to
articles page
A Proposal for Capacity Building in
the African-Australians in Goulburn Valley: A Case
Study on ‘Co-Learning, Development Enhancement, and
Knowledge Management of ‘Emerging Communities’ in
Rural/Regional Australia
by
Dr. Apollo Nsubuga-Kyobe and Dr.
Sundram Sivamalai |
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Media Release: ATT response
to G20 summit 5 March 09
Media
Release: ATT response to Government Employment
contracts 3 April 09 |
Media Release: Africans Applaud
Governor-General's Visit to Africa added to media releases.
Membership form Added to membership
Board Nomination form added to board members
partial update at March 30 2009 |
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African Australians Celebrate Harmony Day added
to Media releases |
The
African Think Tank conducted a forum on the subject
of
“Maximising the Potential of African Youth:
A Community Model to Bolster Health and Legal
Support”
at Victoria University, Melbourne today. Over
100 people attended and the forum was a great
success.
Initial brief report is
HERE |
| The
Victoria Police Multicultural Advisory Unit has
advertised vacancies for New and Emerging Community
Liaison Officer (NECLO) Positions. The
applications close on 30 March.
A .pdf about the positions is
HERE.
The application form on the
careers Victoria web site is
HERE
(it is not possible to directly link to this job. Search under vacancies with Victoria Police to find the vacancy) |
More Speeches by Haileluel Gebre-selassie added to Articles and Speeches tab |
THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN THINK TANK,DR. BERHAN AHMED, HAS BEEN HONOURED WITH THE AWARD OF 2009 VICTORIAN AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR 2009.
story and pictures below.
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AFRICAN COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND MUSICIANS INVITED TO ATTEND SPECIAL DAY FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE BUSHFIRE AND TO THANK THE VOLUNTEERS WHO FOUGHT IT.
SUNDAY, 22nd MARCH, 11.00 – 3.00
DAREBIN COMMUNITY SPORTS STADIUM
857 Plenty Rd Reservoir. |
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African Think Tank Chairperson Dr. Berhan Ahmed with the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and the Deputy Chairperson of the ATT, Mr. Haileleul Gebre-Selassie, iin Canberra. |
The Chairperson of the African Think Tank, Dr. Berhan Ahmed, was named Victorian Australian of the year 2009.
Dr. Ahmed learned of the award when it was announced by the Governor of Victoria, Dr. David de Kretser, in November 2008 while Dr. Ahmed was overseas.
As Victorian recipient, Dr. Ahmed was also a nominee for 2009 Australian of the Year. He went to Canberra for the presentation of the awards, taking as his guests members of the African Think Tank and the Eritrean Community in Australia. Ms. Gayili Yunupingu Marika,, an indigenous elder from the Northern territory who is a friend and colleague of Dr. Ahmed's, was his special guest at the awards.
story and more photos here.
media release here |
Site Update at 04 March 2009
Added page on Dr. Berhan's winning Victorian Australian of the Year 2009
Added three speeches given by Dr. Berhan
Added one previously omitted Media Release
Board members added
Site Update at 20 February 2009
Site has been brought up to date by the addition of all Media Releases 6/2008 to 2/2009.
also copy of invitation to Congo seminar December 2008
Site update at 8 January 2009
added files to constitution section
added files to publications section
added board nomination form to Board section
updated Media Releases with recent files
Site update at 7 January 2009
added files to constitution section
Minor update at 1 January 2009
added media releases and article
THIS SITE WILL NOW BE UPDATED REGULARLY - KEEP VISITING FOR NEWS OF EVENTS, MEDIA RELEASES AND PUBLICATIONS |
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Self reliant, integrated, sustainable and flourishing refugee communities and community organisations in Victoria and Australia.
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The African Think Tank’s Mission is to act as the voice of refugee communities mainly the African Australians in Victoria, through:
- public advocacy in relation to key strategic issues;
- the development of policy advice, especially in regards to employment, capacity building, education, youth and health matters;
- training, advice and support to government and community organisations to ensure accessible and effective service delivery, especially in regards to settlement;
- community capacity building of African Australian communities;
- maintaining a high public profile, through effective public and media relations and the conducting of major public forums and conferences;
- contribute to effective settlement services and community development activities.
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The work of the African Think Tank will be highlighted by:
- effective collaboration with local communities, service providers, governments at all levels and individual members of the mainstream society;
- an inclusive, respectful and consultative approach to the broader African communities, regional groupings, religious and cultural groups and individuals;
- transparent and accountable governance processes with open two way communication;
- a balance between the utilisation of paid professional staff and community volunteers;
- a dedication to the
wellbeing of all people regardless of race,
religion, creed or gender.
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